Hello and welcome to On Deck Circle for today, Thursday, March 4, 2021.
Your need to read time today is 90-seconds.
Today’s LGBTQ Sports History Highlight:
On this day in 1927, Babe Ruth became the highest-paid player in MLB history when he signed a 3-year contract with the New York Yankees for a stunning $70K per season.
Compare that to Mookie Betts’ blockbuster, record-setting 12-year $365M contract, which pays him roughly $30M a year, or 434 times what The Big Fella earned. Now, I was told THERE WOULD BE NO MATH, but $100 in 1927 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $1,503.34 today, meaning Ruth’s salary was about $1M a year in today’s dollars.
So, what’s the LGBTQ connection, you ask? Well, a 2015 survey found LGBTQ sports fans and other consumers spend at least 5% more each year than the average retail consumer. Which goes to prove, um, well, that if Babe Ruth had a gay agent in 1927, maybe he’d have negotiated an even better deal. Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Today’s Outsports Headlines:
Gay volleyball player’s self-acceptance led to deeper bond with college teammates
Gay SkySports editor Jon Holmes is opening minds in British sports
Other LGBTQ Sports stories making news…
Japan: Adopt LGBT Equality Act Before Olympics
WWE Interviewer Kayla Braxton comes out to the world as bisexual
Beyond the binary in Iowa high school athletics
Mississippi passes bill banning transgender student-athletes from female sports teams
Today’s SB Nation’s top story…
Claressa Shields fed up with sexism in boxing: ‘We’re not going to keep waiting on men to give women the opportunity’
Top LGBTQ News…
Rep. Lauren Boebert Calls Equality Act ‘Supremacy of Gays, Lesbians and Transvestites’
Transgender rights emerge as a growing political flash point
Transgender Woman Expelled From South Korean Army Is Found Dead
Today’s OutShout:
Congratulations to Equality Coaching Alliance member Charmelle Green on returning to Utah where she was a student athlete as deputy athletic director and C.O.O.!
If you’re an LGBTQ person in sports looking to connect with others in the community, head over to GO! SPACE to meet and interact with other LGBTQ athletes, or to Equality Coaching Alliance to find other coaches, administrators and other non-athletes in sports.
Social Media Spotlight:
Chris Mosier is sporting quite a ‘stache these days! But what’s really cool, is the message he has for young transgender people:
“To every young person seeing the proposed bills & hearing legislators & hate group leaders misgender you & spread false narratives about who you are — I am with you. I’m out here as proof that there is a place for you in sport. Keep practicing, keep training, keep playing, and most importantly, keep being you.”
If you want your social media post to be included here, or to share one showcasing LGBTQ sports, email us the link at [email protected] or tag @Outsports on Instagram or Twitter!
Today’s Outsports Podcast:
Nearly every day of the week, Outsports has a new podcast for your enjoyment. Today, LGBT In The Ring is back with Brian Bell and “The Hitman for Hire:” pansexual wrestler, Mr. Grim! Listen here:
This week's @LGBTRingPod gets cold, calculated and heartwarming with our guest @MRGRIM_IS4_HIRE! We're talking his coming out experience, finding confidence in @WrestlersLab & @EnjoyWrestle Canned Heat! Download & listen tomorrow on the @outsports podcast network! pic.twitter.com/yhMrFvIbjR
— LGBT In The Ring (@LGBTRingPod) March 3, 2021
This and all Outsports podcasts are available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and on every platform where you find Outsports!
Today’s Sports Calendar:
MLB Spring Training:
Exhibition games are underway! Click here for MLB’s guide to your favorite teams’ schedules.
NHL:
Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro hockey action today.
NBA:
Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s pro basketball action today.
NCAAM:
Click here for ESPN’s schedule of men’s college basketball action today.
NCAAW:
Click here for ESPN’s schedule of women’s college basketball action today.
SOCCER:
Click here for ESPN’s schedule of soccer action today.
Share your thoughts in the comments below or email us at [email protected]
A new On Deck Circle posts every weekday morning on Outsports.com
